Qualifying for Weight Loss Surgery

Are you a candidate? View the grid below to see the general guidelines for qualification of weight-loss surgery at Sanford Health.

*To qualify for insurance, patients with a BMI of 35-40 also must have one to two weight-related health problems, such as sleep apnea, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.

Making a Commitment

Weight-loss surgery requires a commitment on your part. How ready are you? To get a better idea, answer the questions below.

1. How overweight am I?
2. What obesity-related medical complications do I experience? (Arthritis? Back problems? Diabetes? High blood pressure? Hiatal hernia? Gall bladder surgery? Fatigue?)
3. Have I talked with my primary care doctor about obesity?
4. At some time in the past year, have I participated in a medically supervised, documented weight-loss attempt?
5. Do I have sufficient motivation toward weight loss to make the necessary changes in eating habits and exercise?
6. Am I willing to make a formal commitment to the procedure and to myself?

At Sanford, we ask that you as a patient promise to:

• Make a commitment to change.
• Keep your appointments with the dietitian for the first two years.
• Keep us informed of your change of address and phone numbers for your lifetime – keep in touch!
• Attend support group meetings.
• Periodically perform blood tests to measure your serum iron and serum vitamin B-12 levels.
• Engage in vigorous aerobic exercise for 45 minutes three to four times a week – for life.
• Take recommend supplements every day – for life.
• Get psychological counseling if your doctor recommends it.
• Come and see us in the future if your weight maintenance becomes unsatisfactory.
• Notify us if you've been hospitalized for problems related to your surgery.